Transcript Highlights:

• We're working on that type of legislation that will help lift some of those regulations so you... ...
• HB 3749 by Angelia Orr relating to the regulation and practice of medicine, including the performance
• Regulation.
• HB 3833 by Lambert relates to the regulation of money service businesses for the Committee on Pensions
• SB 3 by Perry relates to the regulation of consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• Our coalition is not opposed to data centers, but we are concerned about lack of regulation.
• Our coalition is not opposed to data centers, but we are concerned about lack of regulation.
• </c> have different agencies that regulate have different agencies that regulate water<00:45:40.040><
• This is not adequately being addressed in the current regulation.
• </c><00:57:30.640><c> to</c> thoughtful policy and regulation to thoughtful policy and regulation to

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Just talk to anybody trying to navigate the regulations set out. It has been absolutely brutal.
• And the existing regulations only allowed owning of a single cannabis business, and then you could own
• It has been the regulations set out. It has been absolutely<00:08:37.880><c> brutal.
• ><c> only</c> And the existing regulations only And the existing regulations only allowed<00:09:14.080
• at the state level, a lot of regulations at the state level, but<00:11:50.000><c> there's</c><00:11:

Transcript Highlights:

• and the best regulations to ensure... ...effective and efficient regulator and the best regulations
• Lastly, this bill in the House version did include language that looked at the regulation of illicit
• that closed the... ...has enacted new hemp guidance and new hemp regulations that closed the loophole
• Being on the conference committee once again, another conference committee for the CCC regulations and
• This model reduces classroom distraction while helping students build self-regulation and...

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial activities, including the Pledge of Allegiance and recognition of several student athletic teams and guests, then took up a series of routine matters. Members adopted a resolution congratulating the William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum Corps on its 25th anniversary, suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning lease authorization for Eastern Mountain State Forests, and enacted several bills, including measures related to the Sandwich town charter and Springfield tax relief. The House also passed a bill authorizing charity alcohol auctions after adopting a substitute amendment, and passed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific applicant. The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2581, amended and retitled as an act promoting safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth. Supporters described the bill as a response to classroom distraction, bullying, and mental health harms associated with cell phones and social media, and said it would require bell-to-bell restrictions on personal devices in schools, provide guidance and a model policy for districts, and limit social media access for children under 14 while requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Several members cited educator testimony, school district practices, and concerns about anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and online predators. Opponents and amendment sponsors argued for more local flexibility and warned about implementation costs, but amendments seeking to preserve district-specific policies or prohibit unfunded mandates were rejected. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill by roll call, then passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 129-25. Earlier, the House also accepted a conference committee report on legislation modernizing cannabis laws by a vote of 155-0, after debate focused on restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission, expanding licensing and ownership rules, and addressing equity and social justice provisions. The chamber recessed several times, briefly lost quorum during proceedings, and adjourned to meet again in informal session the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking to be regulated. Thank you.
• I support responsible regulation, but this is not regulation.
• This bill would only be applying toward regulating 7-OH but not kratom.
• This bill would just regulate... That's correct.
• So, again, we do need regulations around how much is sold.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety heard two bills. SB 99 by Senator Blakespear, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, would improve coordination between civilian and military law enforcement in domestic violence cases involving military protective orders (MPOs). The bill would require courts to check for MPOs in the NCIC system when considering restraining orders, allow MPOs to be admissible evidence, require civilian officers to notify military law enforcement of possible MPO violations, and allow local agencies to enter MOUs with the military. Supporters said the bill would close jurisdictional gaps that can leave survivors unprotected; the ACLU opposed it unless amended, citing due process concerns because MPOs are issued by commanders without court process. The committee discussed amendments to make notification and MOU provisions less automatic and to broaden local agency participation, then passed SB 99 to Judiciary on a 5-0 vote. SB 758 by Senator Umberg, as amended, would make the sale or distribution of products with unnaturally concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) a misdemeanor and would restrict nitrous oxide sales by tobacco retailers while preserving legitimate culinary and medicinal uses. Supporters, including local governments, law enforcement, and public safety advocates, described widespread misuse of nitrous oxide and 7-OH, especially among youth, and cited poisonings, injuries, and deaths. Opponents argued the bill would criminalize adults using kratom-related products for pain relief or harm reduction, questioned the scientific evidence, and urged a regulatory or public health approach instead of prohibition. Committee members largely agreed the issue raised public health questions and supported moving the bill forward with amendments; SB 758 passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing claims assistance that are not currently regulated by federal law.
• As you're likely aware, the banking industry is one of the most regulated, if not the most regulated,
• We don't take any issue with those sorts of regulations.
• we not be regulated to become enforcing those policies.
• And so there is a significant regulations in this industry.

Bills: SB1232 , SB1421 , SB1505 , SB1511 , SB1520 , SB1803

Committee: Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Transcript Highlights:

• Fundamentally, the idea is that government shouldn't exempt itself from the regulations it imposes on
• In fact, more than private industry, we're probably better capable of implementing these regulations
• on privacy or some regulation on how things work.
• So it's really, really hard to regulate a moving target.
• So it's really, really hard to regulate a moving target.

Summary: The committee first took executive action on House Bill 1170, which would require disclosures when content is developed or modified by artificial intelligence and address provenance tools and enforcement. Staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments. The committee rejected amendments that would have applied the bill to public entities and tribal nations, added technical-and-commercial-feasibility language, and created a geo-blocking provision or a right to cure. It adopted amendments allowing comparable existing detection tools to satisfy the bill, protecting covered providers from liability when disclosures are unintentionally altered despite reasonable preservation measures, and setting a January 1, 2028 effective date. Members then debated whether the bill was ready for enactment, with supporters emphasizing transparency and consumer trust and opponents warning it was premature and could hinder innovation. The committee voted 7-4, with two excused, to report the bill out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2186, which would expand state support for applicants seeking federal economic development funds, create a matching-funds account, and require a study of available federal grants. The prime sponsor said the bill would help Washington capture more federal dollars, especially for projects that require matching funds, and would expand the Fund Hub WA website beyond environmental grants. Testimony in support came from the Port of Seattle, the Washington Economic Development Association, the City of Pasco, a downtown Kennewick nonprofit, and the Department of Commerce, all saying the bill would improve competitiveness, help underserved communities, and leverage state dollars for larger federal returns. Commerce said it was still developing the fiscal note and technical edits. The hearing on HB 2186 was then closed. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 2351, which would protect emergency responders and emergency response operations. Staff explained that the bill would bar local governments and incident command systems from assisting enforcement actions targeting emergency responders based on protected status, create emergency operation zones with restrictions on law enforcement activity, and change the obstruction statute to cover obstruction of emergency responders. The prime sponsor and many local officials, firefighters, and advocates testified in support, citing incidents where federal enforcement actions disrupted wildfire response and other emergencies. Some witnesses raised concerns about administrative burden, ambiguity, and possible unintended consequences, including a proposed mental-health defense and clarification of responder identification. The Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and the Association of Washington Cities said they supported the goal but wanted changes to avoid conflicts and reduce burdens. The hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• and more when they statutes regulations and more when they have<00:12:21.920><c> questions</c><00:12
• just want to note laws and regulations just want to note uh<00:18:16.640><c> Mr</c><00:18:16.919><c>
• </c> above and beyond laws and regulations above and beyond laws and regulations and<00:18:24.039><c>
• regulations regulations investigation investigation investigation uh<00:19:37.520><c> if</c><00:19:38.520
• A point of contact for residents and permitted companies, and the regulated community, would be very

Bills: HF8 , HF1416

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:35.000><c> in</c> we feel that you should be regulated in we feel that you should be regulated
• </c><00:39:19.319><c> and</c> that Minnesota's regulations and that Minnesota's regulations and standards
• by the Department of Commerce to have a sense of trust that what Commerce is doing in regulating our
• </c> what Commerce is doing in in regulating what Commerce is doing in in regulating our<00:41:49.119
• </c> number one um Commerce is the regulator number one um Commerce is the regulator for<00:53:53.839

Bills: HF2335 , HF2400 , HF2401 , HF2522

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:35.239><c> healthcare</c> make sure that the regulated healthcare make sure that the regulated
• <c> 2014</c><00:10:45.279><c> we</c><00:10:45.440><c> regulated</c> doubled in 2014 we regulated doubled
• </c><00:10:51.320><c> almost</c><00:10:51.600><c> 10,000</c> we regulate almost 10,000 we regulate almost
• </c> annual renewal fees to cover regulating annual renewal fees to cover regulating hmos<01:03:43.920
• :03:45.720><c> become</c> hmos clearly HMO regulation has become hmos clearly HMO regulation has become

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• then the second extraordinary session, the special session, provides the CEC with the ability to regulate
• Tax and Fee Administration, on the status of various requirements of the special session bills, regulations
• Not, you know, I don’t want to gainsay that that’s a regulation, but reporting data is also something
• So, you know, the EPA regulations and the California regulations aren't that different in the stringency
• And really, you know, the California regulations just haven't been looked at in quite a while.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing on managing the transportation fuels transition, fuel pricing, and supply reliability. Chair Allen opened by discussing prior legislation, including SB 1322 and special session measures, that expanded reporting to the California Energy Commission (CEC) and gave the state tools to study gasoline costs, refinery margins, inventories, and potential supply disruptions. He framed the hearing around refinery closures, rising imports, global conflict affecting crude markets, and the need to balance affordability, reliability, and the state’s long-term clean-fuels transition. CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda, CDTFA Chief Deputy Director Gentian Droboniku, and DPMO Director Ty Miller presented data showing California’s growing dependence on imported crude and refined products, declining in-state refining capacity, and stable-to-tight inventories that are being supported by higher imports. They said the new transparency laws have improved understanding of the market and pointed to the proposed Gateway Pipeline, marine imports, and distribution constraints as important supply issues. CDTFA and DPMO emphasized that retail margins, especially for branded gasoline, have widened significantly, with large price gaps between branded stations and hypermarts/unbranded stations, and that some of the recent price increases were tied to the Iran conflict while earlier spikes were more consistent with localized market behavior and possible price gouging. DPMO also said it is investigating high-priced branded stations, monitoring algorithmic pricing under AB 325, and continuing to analyze diesel spot-market transparency. The CEC and CARB also discussed the Transportation Fuels Transition Plan and the SB 237 assessment, describing them as efforts to plan for a managed decline in fossil fuel demand while protecting workers, communities, and consumers. They said California’s climate goals remain centered on an 85% greenhouse gas reduction by 2045, with continued use of liquid fuels expected but with lower-carbon alternatives, more efficient vehicles, and alternative fuels playing a larger role. Committee members focused heavily on workforce impacts, the need for concrete transition planning, and whether the agencies could provide a clearer picture of what California’s fuel system will look like under the state’s long-term goals. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• State officials have limited PFOS use in carpets and upholstery and are about to regulate PFOS and cleaners
• And then, to the sponsors, why are we moving ahead of federal regulators here?
• So it is absolutely true that federal regulations are lagging, and that is why we need state regulations
• EPA level when it comes to California, and then the Department of Pesticide Regulation reviews it.
• It also is not... ...California, and then the Department of Pesticide Regulation reviews it.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1603, which would restrict new PFAS pesticides from being registered in California and add transparency requirements for pesticide use reporting. The author and supporters argued PFAS are persistent, harmful chemicals that contaminate water, soil, and food, and said the bill would reduce future contamination and public health costs. Supporters included environmental and public health groups, water agencies, nurses, teachers, and local governments. Agricultural and chemical industry groups opposed the bill’s registration ban, arguing California already has strong pesticide review, that the measure could limit future safer formulations, and that it could raise costs and reduce farmers’ access to pest-control tools. Committee members raised questions about affordability, water contamination, and the role of state versus federal regulators; the author said the bill was needed because existing regulation is too slow and incomplete. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 2635, the Just Transition for Landscapers Act, which would create voucher programs and other support for landscapers transitioning from gas-powered to electric equipment, while limiting penalties and adding privacy protections. The author and supporters said many landscapers are low-wage immigrant workers who cannot afford the upfront cost of electric equipment and should not be punished for complying with local air-quality rules. Air district representatives and other opponents said the bill could be too prescriptive, could divert limited air district resources, and could create administrative and language-assistance burdens; one air district moved to neutral after amendments. Committee members discussed the health benefits of electric equipment and the need to avoid placing penalties on workers. The bill was held pending a quorum. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would extend CEQA streamlining to public university and community college housing projects. The author, UC student representatives, and the University of California said the bill would help address student housing insecurity and speed construction on already planned campus sites. There was no opposition. The committee then took up AB 1744, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as reef safe or reef friendly from containing certain chemicals that harm marine ecosystems. The author said the bill is a transparency measure, not a ban, and the committee expressed support; no opposition appeared. Additional bills discussed included AB 2152, which would streamline CEQA review for fire station projects and was supported by firefighters and local governments but opposed by contractors over a project labor agreement requirement; AB 2231, which would streamline two hospital projects in Santa Clara and Emeryville and drew broad support with no opposition; AB 2410, which would create temporary CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions for wildfire fuel-reduction projects and drew support from counties, cities, utilities, and fire officials but opposition from Sierra Club California over the breadth of the exemptions; and AB 2234, which would update geothermal exploratory project rules to reflect newer technologies, supported by clean power advocates and opposed or opposed-unless-amended by utility groups concerned about impacts on existing geothermal operations. Several of these measures were discussed with amendments, but votes were deferred where a quorum was not yet present.

Transcript Highlights:

• , they went ahead and did a regulation to include veterinarians in the reporting requirement.
• , they went ahead and did a regulations, they went ahead and did a regulation<00:35:08.160><c> to</c>
• <00:35:08.480><c> include</c><00:35:08.800><c> veterinarians</c><00:35:09.359><c> in</c> regulation to
• </c> through regulation or any other means. through regulation or any other means.
• Neither of which of those of regulation. Neither of which of those things<00:36:46.720><c> happen.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any AI regulation bills that you could support?
• The bill should be an example of how AI regulation can go wrong.
• The bill should be an example of how AI regulation can't go wrong.
• We're signed in as other but supportive of advancing regulation of high-risk AI systems.
• And this is about concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion chatbots.

Bills: HB1170 , HB2157 , HB2225

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any AI regulation bills that you could support?
• House Bill 2157, regulating high-risk artificial intelligence system development, deployment, and use
• The bill should be an example of how AI regulation can go wrong.
• We're signed in as other but supportive of advancing regulation of high-risk AI systems.
• Based on my research, I see a strong need for this legislation regulating AI companions for minors.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three AI-related bills. HB 1170 would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and include latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated or altered content; supporters said it is needed to combat deepfakes and disinformation, while opponents raised First Amendment, technical feasibility, and compliance concerns, and the Attorney General’s Office said the bill needs clearer provider definitions and enforcement language. HB 2157 would regulate high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions such as employment, housing, health care, and parole by requiring risk management, impact assessments, disclosures, and a private right of action; the sponsor said it is needed to address algorithmic discrimination and consumer protection, while industry and civil liberties groups warned it is overbroad, burdensome, and constitutionally problematic, and the AG’s Office supported the concept but asked for changes to enforcement and the right-to-cure provisions. HB 2225 would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on manipulative engagement, and safeguards for minors and self-harm; the sponsor, governor’s office, AG’s Office, researchers, and several families testified in support, citing harms to youth and real-world suicides, while industry groups supported narrower protections but objected to the private right of action and scope. No votes were taken during the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Division of Regulation and Licensure is responsible for the regulation and licensure of facilities
• The Division of Regulation and Licensure is responsible for the regulation and licensure of facilities
• The Division of Regulation and Licensure is responsible for the regulation and licensure of facilities
• Page 395 is Long-Term Regulation, or the QUITMO program.
• We will now move into the Division of Cannabis Regulation.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services present its FY 2027 budget request, with Director Sarah Wilson and budget staff describing the department’s mission, major divisions, and the impact of federal funding shifts, especially the FMAP change that will shift costs to general revenue. Wilson emphasized prevention, public health infrastructure, workforce capacity, and data modernization, while several members praised the department’s responsiveness and cost-cutting efforts. The discussion repeatedly focused on lapses, excess authority, and the department’s stated practice of spending federal and other funds before general revenue where possible. Members asked detailed questions about local public health agency support, nutrition programs, rural health and primary care, newborn screening, the state public health lab, and the department’s use of flexibility and reallocations. There was extended discussion of substance use disorder funding: the department explained that some funding is being reduced in its own budget because transfer authority is being added for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections, while some other SUD-related lines are actual reductions. Members also questioned tobacco prevention and cessation cuts, maternal and infant health programs, fetal infant mortality review, and minority health initiatives, with staff explaining program purposes and noting that some reductions were tied to excess authority or to moving programs to other departments. The committee also reviewed specific operational items such as the Health Initiatives Fund transfer, debt offset escrow for loan repayment defaults, donated funds authority, emergency preparedness, environmental health, health informatics, HIV/STI/hepatitis services, local public health incentives, and the COVID/ARPA authority reductions. Several members requested follow-up information on vacancies, lapse trends, grant spending plans, and program details. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the chair recessed briefly and the hearing continued with additional budget testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• In some ways it comes down to regulating the technology versus regulating the impact.
• I firmly believe that we can regulation.
• </c><01:02:53.839><c> against</c> protections and regulation against protections and regulation against
• </c> should be aiming for in any regulation should be aiming for in any regulation considered<01:03:38.880
• </c> proposal establishes to regulate proposal establishes to regulate automated<01:30:55.760><c> decision

Bills: HF1316 , HF4369

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So we need regulation on this product..." "Regulation on this product.
• But this bill is allowing big tobacco to try to regulate themselves.
• We need serious regulations on vaping and tobacco products, and the two need to have the same regulations
• And the two need to have the same regulations because the two are the same.
• We need real regulations to protect public health. This bill is soft on big tobacco.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are in a situation where if we cannot use this product, which is regulated, registered, and safe
• It's federally registered and highly regulated, and we follow all the EPA rules.
• , and we follow all and highly regulated, and we follow all the<00:05:09.360><c> EPA</c><00:05:10.000
• They could be added into the regulations so they could be changed or made applicable to different types
• They could be added into the regulations so they could be changed or made applicable to different types

Bills: HB1979

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , preempting cities and towns from further regulating plant nutrients.
• That process of formulating the regulations took four years to complete.
• Today, professional applicators embrace these regulations wholeheartedly.
• I wish to emphasize we are not anti-regulation at all.
• We agree with and follow the regulations that have been in place for a decade now.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources opened its first hearing with introductory remarks, instructions on three-minute testimony limits, and notice that written testimony would be accepted. The committee then heard testimony on several local bills, beginning with H. 984, which would change water management for Silver Lake, Furnace Pond, Monponset Pond, and the Jones River system. Supporters said the 1964 water arrangement has harmed water levels, water quality, and habitat, and argued the bill would add needed environmental oversight without cutting Brockton off from water. Testimony emphasized impacts on alewife, freshwater mussels, drought conditions, and the need for more balanced management; no vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard H. 1069, a proposal to raise the parking surcharge at Douglas State Forest from $1 to $5 to help Douglas cover emergency response costs at the DCR park. Supporters said the town bears the burden for rescues, brush fires, and other incidents and has used the current surcharge for equipment like drones and ATVs. Another bill, H. 994, would let Orleans regulate fertilizer use locally; the town argued that nutrient pollution has worsened water quality in Cape Cod ponds and coastal waters, while opponents from the lawn care and landscape industries said Massachusetts already has a strong statewide nutrient-management system and warned against a patchwork of local rules. The committee also took testimony on H. 1073 concerning wastewater treatment and disposal options at Joint Base Cape Cod for the town of Sandwich. Supporters said the base could help meet Sandwich’s immediate and long-term wastewater needs and that the region has already invested in planning. In addition, Senator Driscoll testified in support of S. 575, to add transparency to the Blue Hills Reservation Trust Fund, and S. 574, to establish memorial markers honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. He also supported related park-naming legislation, including a bill to rename Farragut Park and dedicate athletic fields there. Finally, a marine trades representative supported a bill to expand pleasure boat access to Boston Harbor, arguing that boating supports the local economy and that boaters are strong environmental stewards. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with no committee action reported.